The Government of Sindh, Pakistan, abolishes the Jagirdari system in the province. One million acres (4000 km2) of land thus acquired is to be distributed among the landless peasants.
Exploring Sindh: Pakistan's Diverse Southeastern Province
Sindh, pronounced [sɪndʱ] and historically romanized as Sind, is one of the four constituent provinces of Pakistan. Strategically located in the southeastern region of the country, it holds significant geographical and economic prominence. Covering a total area that makes it the third-largest province in Pakistan, Sindh is also the nation's second-most populous province, surpassed only by Punjab.
Geographical and Economic Overview
Sindh shares extensive land borders with Balochistan to its west and Punjab to its north, both fellow Pakistani provinces. To the east, it borders the Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan, while its southern coastline stretches along the Arabian Sea. The province's diverse landscape is predominantly characterized by the fertile alluvial plains that flank the mighty Indus River, which serves as the lifeblood of its agricultural sector. In the eastern part of the province, particularly along the international border with India, lies a significant portion of the vast Thar Desert. Conversely, the western regions are marked by the rugged terrain of the Kirthar Mountains, adding to the province's geographical variety.
Economically, Sindh boasts the second-largest economy in Pakistan, trailing only the province of Punjab. Its provincial capital, Karachi, is not only the most populous city in the country but also serves as Pakistan's primary financial and industrial hub. This metropolis is home to a substantial portion of Pakistan's industrial sector, driving significant economic activity. Furthermore, Sindh is crucial for national and international trade, housing two of the country's busiest commercial seaports: Port Qasim and the Port of Karachi, which facilitate vital maritime commerce. Beyond its industrial and urban centers, a considerable segment of Sindh's economy is rooted in agriculture, producing a wide array of fruits, vegetables, and other consumer items that are distributed across the nation.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Sindh holds a unique place in history, often referred to as the بابالاسلام (Bab-ul Islam), which translates to 'Gateway of Islam.' This moniker reflects its distinction as one of the very first regions of the Indian subcontinent to come under Islamic rule. While parts of the modern-day province experienced intermittent raids by the Rashidun army during the early Muslim conquests, the region's full integration into the Muslim world occurred with the decisive Arab invasion of Sind in 712 CE, led by Muhammad ibn Qasim under the Umayyad Caliphate. This pivotal event profoundly shaped the region's cultural and religious landscape.
The demographic fabric of Sindh is rich and diverse. Ethnic Sindhi people constitute the largest indigenous group, forming the cultural backbone of the province. Sindh is also the principal place of residence for the overwhelming majority of Muhajirs (literally 'migrants'), a multiethnic group of Indian Muslims who migrated to the region following the tumultuous Partition of British India in 1947, significantly contributing to the province's urban populations and cultural mosaic.
The province is renowned for its distinct and vibrant culture, which is profoundly influenced by Sufism. This mystical branch of Islam plays a vital role in shaping Sindhi identity for both its Muslim and Hindu populations, fostering a spirit of peace, tolerance, and communal harmony. Sindh is dotted with numerous important Sufi shrines, such as those of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, which attract millions of devotees annually, serving as centers of spiritual solace and cultural expression.
Ancient Heritage and UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Sindh's historical prominence extends far beyond the Islamic era, reaching back to the Bronze Age. The region was a crucial center of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world's earliest and most advanced urban cultures, which flourished around 2500-1900 BCE. Testament to this ancient heritage, Sindh is home to two UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sites: the Makli Necropolis and Mohenjo-daro. The Makli Necropolis, near Thatta, is one of the largest funerary sites in the world, featuring millions of tombs and graves of Sufi saints, scholars, and rulers. Mohenjo-daro, on the other hand, represents one of the best-preserved and most extensively excavated cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, offering invaluable insights into the sophisticated urban planning, societal structures, and technological advancements of this ancient civilization.
Understanding Feudalism in Contemporary Pakistan
Feudalism in contemporary Pakistan, often referred to by its Urdu term زمینداري نظام (zamindari nizam), describes a socio-political and economic system characterized by the immense power and influence wielded by large landowning families. This system is particularly pervasive in vast estates and more remote rural areas, where landlords often exert considerable control over local populations and resources.
Defining "Feudal" and Its Implications
- What does "feudal" mean in the Pakistani context?
- In Pakistan, the adjective "feudal" is commonly used to describe a relatively small, yet politically active and highly powerful group of landowners. These individuals or families, through their vast landholdings, exert significant socio-economic and political influence, often overshadowing state institutions in their areas of control.
- What is a "feudal attitude"?
- The term "feudal attitude" refers to a specific behavioral pattern exhibited by these powerful landowners, characterized by a combination of arrogance and a profound sense of entitlement, often stemming from their inherited wealth, status, and control over resources and people.
According to the Pakistan Institute of Labor Education and Research (PILER), the land distribution in Pakistan is highly skewed: a mere five percent of agricultural households own nearly two-thirds of the nation's total farmland. This concentration of ownership allows large joint families to possess hundreds or even thousands of acres of land, while often making little to no direct contribution to agricultural production. Instead, the actual cultivation and labor are undertaken by "peasants or tenants who typically live at subsistence level," trapped in a cycle of poverty and dependency.
Mechanisms of Landlord Power and Influence
The power of these landlords is multifaceted and deeply entrenched:
- Debt Bondage: A primary mechanism of control is the practice of debt bondage. Generations of peasant families can be tied to a landlord through inherited debts, making them effectively indentured laborers with little hope of escape. This systemic exploitation often leads to extreme poverty and lack of upward mobility.
- Control over Resources: Landlords often control vital agricultural resources, including the distribution of water for irrigation, access to fertilizers, permits for essential machinery like tractors, and agricultural credit. This control creates a near-total dependency among local farmers and tenants, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.
- Influence over Local Administration: Their economic leverage translates directly into significant influence over the local government's revenue, police, and judicial administration. This allows landlords to manipulate legal and administrative processes to their advantage, often at the expense of the impoverished rural population.
Geographical Extent and Political Impact
While the feudal system exists across Pakistan, its more "harsh" manifestations have historically been observed in "rural Sind," Balochistan, and certain parts of Southern Punjab. This system has deeply permeated the political landscape of the country. Pakistan's "major political parties" have frequently been described as "feudal-oriented," suggesting that the interests of large landowners are significantly represented within their ranks.
As highlighted by scholar Sharif Shuja in 2007, the political dominance of feudal families was stark: "more than two-thirds of the National Assembly" (the Lower House of Parliament) and most of the key executive posts in the provinces were held by "feudals." This widespread political representation ensures the perpetuation of the system, as legislative and policy reforms that might challenge their power are often stymied.
Prominent landed families in Pakistan, who derive their influence from this system, include various tribal and historical designations such as the Rajputs, Mian, Nawabs, Khans, Nawabzadas, Mansabdars, Arbabs, Jutts, Makhdooms, and the Sardars. The persistence of the power of these "feudal" landowning families in Pakistan, notably contrasted with its significant waning in other post-colonial societies like India and Japan, is largely attributed to the persistent lack of comprehensive and effective land reforms within the country. This absence of reform continues to be a critical factor in the country's socio-economic development challenges and its political dynamics.